Joshua beats Parker on points in world heavyweight title fight

The Briton tipped the scales at 17 stones four pounds and two ounces at the weigh-in, attended by a crowd of more than 4,000, compared to the New Zealander’s 16 stones 12 pounds and seven ounces.

Hearn said: “Anthony Joshua wants all the belts – that is the big card Deontay Wilder has got to play [but] commercially Joshua is far bigger than Deontay Wilder”.

He added a one to that tally with an all-round display of boxing craft that had two judges awarding him the fight 118-110 and the other 119-109.

Indeed, it was the first time a Joshua fight went the distance.

“I thought we were beaten by a better man”.

Despite not getting the knockout, Froch was impressed with the clinical boxing displayed by Joshua.

“This was about boxing finesse”.

Their earnings form a proportion of the revenue from pay-per-view TV sales and sponsorship deals with the bout being shown live on Sky Sports Box Office.

“The family is grateful to the whole Sagamu people, who came out to watch the fight and supported him on Saturday”.

Joshua now has his sights set on America’s WBC champion Wilder for a shot at becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

In the post fight interview Joshua was not shy in calling out Deontay Wilder and maintaining that the fight will, if it happens, take place in the United Kingdom.

Asked about making his American debut, Joshua added: “No”. Parker’s awkward movement and effective counterpunching made it hard for Joshua to unleash his full arsenal of punches.

“I know fans want blood but sometimes it’s just not there”.

“I lost to the better champion tonight”, said Parker. “It’s been a good experience being here and I’m thankful for the opportunity”.

“I’m going to come back stronger”.

“What do you gota do to beat wilder?”

After the epic nature of his 11th-round knockout of Wladimir Klitschko, Joshua has had to battle for two scrappy wins in Cardiff – first over the awkward Carlos Takam in October previous year and now Parker. “I stuck to my word and I controlled it behind the jab, the counter-punches”.

Parker’s best rounds were the first two and possibly the fifth, but he looked the most unsafe when he was tagged.

Parker said he saw confidence in Joshua’s eyes, and was ready for anything. The result was emphatic, though.

This was the second heavyweight unification match between unbeaten fighters, with the first coming in 1987 when Mike Tyson bested Tony Tucker.